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COVID-19 Information Center

Last Updated: 1/10/22

The latest information regarding Northwest Florida State College operations relating to COVID-19 are available on this page. Campus Safety & Security will update this page as appropriate.

Open and Ready to Serve You

Northwest Florida State College is open and operating on its regular schedule: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The NWFSC Wellness/Fitness Center is open to students and employees with a valid NWFSC ID: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Northwest Florida State College has been attuned to the impact of COVID-19 on the health and well-being of our students, faculty staff, and the entire College community. Considering the ongoing evolution of federal and state standards, all faculty, staff, students, and visitors are encouraged to show care for themselves and others by staying home when they are sick and always maintaining high standards of hygiene. Regarding COVID-19, the College likewise encourages that you follow the CDC recommendation of being vaccinated against COVID-19 and wearing a mask when appropriate; whether you are vaccinated or wear a mask is your personal choice. The College will continue to actively monitor the situation.

When to Isolate and/or Test and Refrain from Coming to Campus Locations 

The following guidelines are subject to change. Considering the ongoing evolution of federal and state standards, the College strives to comply with the most up to date instructions provided by relevant health authorities.

If you are sick with any kind of illness and believe that you may be contagious, it shows most care for your own health and the health of your College community members to refrain from bringing sickness to campus. Regarding COVID-19, the College does not independently create or control COVID-19 quarantine or isolation guidelines. The below guidelines are drawn from standards set by relevant authorities, such as the State of Florida, Florida Department of Education, Florida Department of Health, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These guidelines may be updated over time by those authorities.

COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL (“CHS”) AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION CENTER (“CDEC”) STUDENTS

If a CHS or CDEC student is exposed* to a COVID-19 positive case, regardless of vaccination status, and if the student remains asymptomatic and has not received a positive test for COVID-19, the student may choose to continue attending classes and events as regularly scheduled.  Choosing whether to seek a COVID-19 test is a choice made by the student and parent.

If a student is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or personally tests positive for COVID-19, the student may return to campus locations after:

    • The student receives a negative test and is not experiencing symptoms; OR
    • 5 days have passed since symptom onset or positive test result, the student has had no fever for 24 hours, and the student’s other symptoms are improving; OR
    • The student receives written permission from a healthcare provider to return to school.

*Exposure, per the CDC, means close contact of 6 feet or less for 15 minutes or more.

NON-CHS AND NON-CDEC STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF

If you have been exposed* to COVID-19, but you remain asymptomatic and have not received a positive test for COVID-19, you do not need to quarantine.

If you are experiencing symptoms or personally test positive for COVID-19, please refrain from coming to campus. Return to campus 5 days after the symptoms first appeared and after 24 hours without a fever or the use of fever-reducing medications.

*Exposure, per the CDC, means close contact of 6 feet or less for 15 minutes or more.

Reporting

As soon as possible after one of the following:

  • an employee tests positive; or
  • a faculty/staff member learns of a student testing positive

that employee should submit a COVID-19 incident report through Raidernet under the Forms tab. Only a limited set of authorized staff members have access to view the incident reports, protecting personal information.

For Further Information or Resources, Contact or Visit

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Find frequently asked questions below in two categories: Students & the Public and Faculty & Staff.

Students and The Public

Am I eligible for Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds? (Updated 08/06/2021)

Northwest Florida State College is participating in the Higher Education Economic Relief grant for students. We encourage you to submit an application for funding.

UPDATE as of January 10, 2022:

Eligibility Requirements for HEERF III ARP:

  • A high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting.
  • Seeking a degree at Northwest Florida State College
  • Be currently registered for the Fall 2021 term.
  • Students who have already received a HEERF grant prior to August 1, 2021 are eligible.

Additionally, the amount of funds you will be eligible to receive will be based on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as calculated by your FAFSA. If you are unsure what your EFC number is, please login to your FAFSA account and review your 2021-2022 application.

Term Status Amount EFC Range
Half-time and above $1,200 0
Half-time and above $750 1-999,9999
Half-time and above $300 No FAFSA
Other- emergency, tuition assistance, debt, etc. Varies N/A

If I have more questions, whom should I contact?

Please call (850) 502-2895 to speak with a Student Success Navigator during normal business hours.

 

Faculty And Staff

May employees work remotely?

The College generally expects employees to report to work at their assigned campus or center location.

Due to the evolving guidance regarding COVID-19, the College offers the ability to work remotely in certain circumstances.

  • If an employee is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or has a positive COVID-19 test result, is physically able to perform their duties, and works in a position that the College determines can be performed remotely, the employee may submit a Telecommuting Request Form. All telecommuting requests are subject to College approval. For more details, visit the RaiderNet Employee tab for the Telecommuting Procedures and Agreement.
  • An employee may be eligible to work remotely due to a Family Medical Leave Act or American with Disabilities Act qualifying reason. In that case, the employee should contact Human Resources for next steps.

If an employee does not meet the foregoing criteria, the College’s standard leave of absence practices apply. Human Resources is available to answer questions related to leave of absence.

I currently have an NWFSC-sponsored Florida Blue medical plan. Will my plan cover medical expenses associated with COVID-19 treatment?

Yes, NWFSC-sponsored Florida Blue medical plans will cover medical expenses associated with treatment for COVID-19/Coronavirus.

What assistance is available to help me cope with the emotional impact of a COVID-19 outbreak? 

Please contact Human Resources at (850) 729-5337. Human Resources will connect you with our Employee Assistance Program resources.

If I have questions not addressed here, whom do I contact?

Questions should be first directed to your supervisor. Campus Safety and Security concerns may be directed to Chief Aaron Murray at (850) 729-5260 or by emailing murraya8@nwfsc.edu. Human Resources questions may be answered by calling (850) 729-5365 or by emailing humanresources@nwfsc.edu.